Former Derby County youngster Lee Holmes made his loan spell at St James Park permanent in the summer of 2015.

The winger made his breakthrough at Pride Park, scoring twice in 46 appearances for the Rams.

He turned down Leeds United and Nottingham Forest to sign for Southampton in summer 2008, and he would score against the Grecians in his second game for the Saints. Released in 2012 after loan spells at Oxford United and Swindon Town, he joined Preston North End, and would score six goals for the Deepdale club. From there, we went on loan to Portsmouth and then Exeter City, signing permanent terms with the Grecians at the end of the 2014/15 season.

After missing the start of the 2015/16 season with a knock, he returned to action as a half-time substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Northampton Town. He scored his first goal of the campaign in the 4-2 defeat at Accrington Stanley, and his second came in the 2-0 away success at Mansfield Town. He scored a spectacular goal from a corner against Liverpool in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round in January, and after a strong assist contribution throughout the campaign, he was voted the fans’ player of the season.